Published in the bulletin of Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Knoxville, TN, on the 4th Sunday of Advent.
My dear Parishioners,
Peace! The ninth article of the Apostle’s Creed is “I believe in the Holy Catholic Church.” There are thirty-five (35) In Brief passages in the Catechism of the Catholic Church regarding this article of the Creed. The following is a reflection on article 937.
The Decree Concerning the Pastoral Office of Bishops in the Church, Christus Dominus, of the Second Vatican Council (28 October, 1965) addresses both Bishops in general and the Bishop of Rome in particular, as the head of the College of Bishops. Catholic Christians believe that the Papacy is of divine institution, which is to say that God has established and positively desires it’s existence (cf. Matthew 16:14–19). In light of this, anyone who puts themselves at odds with the divine institution of the Papacy, puts themselves at odds with Almighty God (cf. Matthew 12:30; Luke 11:23; Romans 13:1). The Church herself is of divine institution, as are the Sacraments. We believe the Papacy, the Church, and the Sacraments are all of divine origin because the Lord Jesus established them and they all boldly proclaim the Lordship of Jesus Christ (cf. 1 Corinthians 12:3; 1 John 4:2–3; 2 John 1:7). Here we consider three (3) aspects of the divinely instituted Papacy, all of which concern the Pope’s power and authority in the care of souls.
One part of the divine institution of the Papacy is that the Pope has supreme power and authority for the care of souls. To believe that the Pope has supreme power for the care of souls is to say that, on Earth, there is no higher authority when it comes to matters of Faith and Morals. Another part of the divine institution of the Papacy is that the Pope has full power and authority for the care of souls. The power and authority with which the Pope is endowed to care for souls is not partial but entire, complete.
A third part of the divine institution of the Papacy is that the Pope has universal power and authority for the care of souls. The Pope’s power and authority to care for souls is not limited by the geography of the Diocese of Rome, but extends to the ‘four corners’ of the world, seen in the mandate given by the Lord to the Apostles (cf. Matthew 28:18–19; Luke 9:1).
The Greek word exousia is translated in the New American Bible as “authority.” Strong’s Hebrew and Greek Dictionaries provides an even more extensive sphere of meanings including: “privilege” “capacity” competence, “jurisdiction” “right.” We submit our intellect and will to the sure and certain teachings of the Bishop of Rome (cf. LG, 25) not just because he is clever or handsome but because all power and authority comes from God (cf. Romans 13:1). The Lord assures us that we listen to Him when we listen to the Pope and despise him not (cf. Luke 10:16).
Love, pray for, and heed the teachings of the Pope.
God bless you!
Father John Arthur Orr